Your #1 Resource for Finding Perfect Gifts for Every Occasion

Hi! My name is Patti Johnson and I'd like to welcome you to WowGiftIdeas.com! Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for that special someone... or you need to know what to buy for your next baby shower... or you're looking for just the right birthday, holiday or graduation gift, you've come to the right place!

Since I'm a wedding planner, I have helped thousands of people select just the right wedding and shower gifts. In fact, I have two websites devoted to wedding showers and baby showers you might enjoy visiting.

I'd also like to take a minute to introduce you to Angie Anderson and Sara Thomas. Angie is a great friend and she's an absolute star when it comes to knowing what to buy people for special occasions. Angie won't only help you find the perfect gift, she'll help you find it at a bargain and can even help you out with wrapping and presentation techniques. Yes, Angie is definitely a gem and she'll be sharing all of her tips and knowledge with you while you're here.

Last, but certainly not least, is Sara Thomas. Here's how Sara describes herself: "I've got 2 kids, 1 husband, and 2 cats, and I'm an avid gift-giver! No, you didn't read that wrong - I LOVE to give gifts. Over the years I've become pretty good at matching cool gift ideas to my friends, family members, and colleagues for various occasions - birthdays, graduations, weddings, baby showers - you name it! I'm happy to have a chance to share these Wow! Gift Ideas and do my part to stop the cycle of less-than-stellar gift ideas. You know the ones I'm talking about: collector's items of stuff you don't collect, tasteless clothing, and Chia anything." I know you'll love Sara's advice.

So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and stay awhile. We're going to take you on a gift giving extravaganza that's going to change the way you look at gift giving!

It is surprisingly difficult to find gifts for book lovers. A book is usually a safe bet, but if they're true book lovers it's almost impossible to guess what they have and haven't read, or where their interests lie. Besides, books or even book store gift cards are kind of boring and unimaginative. If you really want to WOW them, try these out instead.

Continue reading "Creative Gifts for Book Lovers" »

Posted by Sara Thomas at 3:00 AM | Permalink

If you browse your local department stores, there are a good number of bird feeders -- and they'll probably all look more or less the same. Sure, you might turn up one or two unique or unusual items, but generally speaking bird feeders tend to be an uninspired lot.

Which is why you shop online, of course! These bird feeders go far beyond the ordinary and turn a simple gift into a WOW moment.

Continue reading "Unique Bird Feeders for Wildlife Lovers" »

Posted by Sara Thomas at 3:00 AM | Permalink

A few months ago everyone fell in love with Wii fit, but the problem is that there aren't all that many Wii fit games. Once you've exhausted the possibilities with the original Wii fit software, you may find yourself starting to get tired of hula hooping, jogging, and step dancing. If that describes anyone you know, you might be interested in the new Wii fit games popping up.

Although the new games aren't getting as much press as the original system and its companion game, they are definitely worth checking out if you're looking for gifts for Wii fit lovers.

Continue reading "The Perfect Gift? New Wii Fit Games" »

Posted by Sara Thomas at 3:00 AM | Permalink

The H2O Mop by Thane is simplicity at its best. In this age of newfound fears over toxins and chemicals, the H2O mop requires only water to clean a floor -- no detergents and no soap. You'll want to air-kiss your old mop good-bye.

Continue reading "The H2O Mop: Just Add Water" »

Posted by Sara Thomas at 3:00 AM | Permalink

Depending on where you live, gardening season is in full swing -- and catalogs full of the latest garden gadgets are in mailboxes and on websites everywhere. Buying them all is tempting, especially if you have a particularly brown thumb and buying anything to make that thumb greener is up your alley.

But gardening only requires a few basic items: good soil, a water source, a shovel and tiller, seeds or seedlings, plant food, and something to keep the critters from eating your crop. These four garden gadgets help out with one or more of these basic gardening needs.

Continue reading "Four Garden Gadgets to Put on Your Wish List" »

Posted by Sara Thomas at 3:00 AM | Permalink

A world of wonder pops from the page

A few weeks ago, I wrote about children's books that made great gifts. Children's pop-up books are also a fantastic gift idea. But you don't have to be a kid to enjoy the detail and intricate paper sculpture made by today's authors of pop-up books. They are true artists using paper as their medium and the printed page as their canvas. The stories they create for the masses are truly amazing.

To get you started, I recommend three current authors of pop-up books. They're all favorites in my house.

1. David A. Carter

Carter creates pop-up books that appeal to young children. Most of his books are about silly bugs--Bed Bugs, Space Bugs, Alpha Bugs, Beach bugs, etc. His bugs are colorful and zany, and they say funny things. Just that would be enough to keep the kids entertained, but he punches it up even more with his paper art. Bugs pop up out of boxes and planets and beach pails, and the kids just love it all.

2. Robert Sabuda

Children age six through one-hundred will appreciate classic stories redone by Sabuda as graphic masterpieces. Titles include "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Peter Pan." You've never seen these stories come alive from the pages of a book quite like this before! Sabuda has also created a winter series of books, including "The Night before Christmas."

3. Matthew Reinhart

Reinhart has teamed up with Sabuda on many astounding pop-up books, including a set of "Encyclopedia Prehistorica." Titles in this set are "Dinosaurs", "Sharks and Other Sea Monsters" and "Mega Beasts." Along with their joint effort on "Castles," these are great gifts for inquisitive minds. The pair of paper engineers recently published a pop-up version of Tomie dePaola's classic "Strega Nona."

If you only buy one Reinhart book, I definitely recommend his thirtieth anniversary commemoration of Star Wars. This "pop-up guide to the galaxy" is sophisticated and daring, with stories within stories. It even features a light saber duel at the end. Remember--this is PAPER we're talking about. You truly must see it to believe it.

These pop-up books are all great gifts for kids. But if you've got somebody on your gift list who lives for all things digital, give them children's pop-up books and prove to them that books are far from history.

Posted by Sara Thomas at 3:00 AM | Permalink

Family outings are a great gift to give to your family. You don't need a special occasion -- just pick a weekend or weeknight when you have no other plans, and get going. Or pick a day in advance, and don't book anything else on it. Experts tell us families need to slow down, turn off the electronic devices, and spend time together. A family outing is a perfect way to reconnect.

Continue reading "Now Is the Time to Plan Some Family Outings" »

Posted by Sara Thomas at 10:43 AM | Permalink

There's just something about bonsai trees that fascinate people. When I was younger I didn't understand why anybody in their right mind would want to grow a little tree. It reminded me of those little Zen gardens with sand and a rake that I'd see in corporate offices. What was the purpose?

But, as they say, with age comes wisdom. I now see that growing and caring for bonsai trees is an act of patience, a lesson in tranquility, and also, quite possibly, a chance to play God with your own little world.

Continue reading "Bonsai Trees Are Fascinating, and Relaxing" »

Posted by Sara Thomas at 4:51 PM | Permalink

Is it me, or are Father's Day gifts just inherently hard to buy? Sure, you can play it safe and buy your father the same cologne he wears year after year, or your husband another new razor, but that's just boring. You might as well be giving underwear for all the excitement that's sure to generate.

I really put my thinking cap on this year (and also had some friends ask their husbands what was on their gift lists), and came up with a few cool, new gift ideas for dads that they're sure to enjoy. Obviously, you know your dad or husband better than I do, so pick a gift that's sure to please them. I don't mind if you tell them the idea was all yours!

Continue reading "Four Fun Gift Ideas for Father's Day" »

Posted by Sara Thomas at 10:38 AM | Permalink

Great gifts often begin with great gift wrap. The way you package your present gives your recipient their first impression of what's hidden inside. There are many exciting ways to wrap a gift without it costing a lot, or adding to the landfills.

Continue reading "Creative Alternatives to Store Bought Gift Wrap" »

Posted by Sara Thomas at 11:00 AM | Permalink